Well, in Michigan, our economy is hurting.
The big three is now just a big joke, what with foreign companies like Toyota offering cheaper cars and whatnot. The big three cant keep selling $30,000+ cars if they wanna be competitve, especially now since I heard China is gonna be offering a car for less than $10,000 dollars.
Lot's of outsourcing here, all the good jobs are now being given to Apu in India and Chang in China. Go to any Wa-mart and TRY to find something that says, "Made in USA", chances are there are very few. Also, technical jobs are the same here, call up tech support for your malfunctioning computer, and you'll be talking to someone that sounds like the guy that owns the gas station near you. And if he speaks any English, that's a good day for you
Only business here making any money are the moving companies for business and frustrated Michganders.
But some poor-ness is due to the person himself. You do not need a dozen credit cards, I am not a rich man, but I always got some put aside, and I always pay in cash. To people lookng for a car...DO NOT SMEGGING LEASE YOU CAR! You wanna loose money, do just that. And the car sales people make more commisions off leases than sales....and by a large margin. Also, you don't need to buy expensive foods, even if one's eating healthy. For example, I seen a box of quaker oats oat meal for like $4.00.....I look at the bottom shelf, there is a brand called Valu Time, and it was only a little over a dollar...and it's the same stuff and the same amount. Helmen's mayonase sells for like 2-3 dollars here and Kroger brand is the same stuff and amount( actually tastes better from an addition of mustard powerd added ) for a dollar.
Stores like Aldi sell the same stuff for less cost.
But I do feel thoughthat these big businesses should do some work themselves. 100 years ago, Mr. Ford offered his employees $5.00 a day, which was unheard of in those days. And I think he offered them some benefits. Why? So his people would have money to buy his cars and stuff, and if you pay them well and treat them with respect, you get a better work force all togather. American businesses, epseically these big ones, outta to do that cause if the people don't have money, they won't buy any goods and services otherwise.